Donnell Wallam 'devastated' by Hancock Prospecting's decision to pull out of sponsorship
The Australian Diamonds have overcome a week of off-field chaos to reclaim the Constellation Cup, downing New Zealand 57-53.
But the furore over the sponsorship fiasco involving Hancock Prospecting won't go away, with the boss of the Australian Netball Players Association hitting out at the lack of consultation.
The issue came to a head last week, with Hancock Prospecting pulling a $15m deal with Netball Australia, after indigenous player Donnell Wallam expressed reservations about the sponsorship due to comments from Lang Hancock in 1984.
READ MORE: Verstappen makes history despite pitstop calamity
READ MORE: Legend fumes at controversial World Cup call
READ MORE: A-League clash marred by shambolic red card call
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Wallam was "devastated" by the development.
"It's been a shock, obviously everyone is extremely disappointed but I think we need to clarify here the players position has always been that they were prepared to wear the logo during the Constellation Cup," Players Association boss Kathryn Harby-Williams said on ABC Grandstand.
"We had come to an agreement with Netball Australia where everyone was comfortable that would happen and that Donnell and the players would not be required to wear the logo against England in the three-match series starting shortly.
"At no point in time did the players seek to have the deal fall off the table but we were certainly willing to come to a compromise and had agreed to that shortly after the players stood by Donnell."
Donnell Wallam in action for the Queensland Firebirds. Getty
Harby-Williams said the players were "disappointed" at how the process played out.
"Donnell sought an exemption for herself and that wasn't forthcoming because there was a meeting where it was made very clear that no exemptions would given to any player," Harby-Williams said.
"Obviously that was a disappointing moment for the players to understand that would not be forthcoming.
"At no point was she given an exemption to wear the logo against England.
"And that's fundamentally what it came down to in the end, an indigenous player, our first in almost 25 years, only our third in history, was seeking an exemption for just three games so that she could focus on her debut and then we could get to the table to sort it after the England series."
The win over New Zealand left coach Stacey Marinkovich in tears as the final whistle blew.
The four-goal win was Australia's 100th victory over New Zealand.
Uniform controversies that have rocked sport around the world
